Igniting mechanism



March 7, 1950 o. c. WAGGO'NER 2,499,547

IGNITING MECHANISM Filed DBC. 11 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet l Orv Q Waggoner March 7 1950 o. c. wAGGoNER IGNITING MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed beg. 11, 1946 Patented Mar. 7, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE IGNITING MECHANISM Orval C. Waggoner, Mexico City, Mexico Applicationv December 11, 1946, Serial No. 715,375

, 8 Claims.

This invention relates to an igniting mechanism and has relation more particularly to a mechanism especially designed and adapted for use in connection with a cigarette lighter or the like and it is primarily an object of the invention to provide a mechanism of this kind wherein the striking element for coaction with-the flint or sparking element moves in an arcuate path and in a plane substantially at right angles to the igniting extremity of the wick.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a mechanism of this kind for use in connection with an igniting device including a wick and which embodies a striking element mounted for movement in a path around the igniting extremity of the wick.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a mechanism of this kind including a striking member having an arcuate and relatively broad surface for contact with the flint or kindred sparking element for producing required sparks upon movement of said striking element.

Another object of the invention is to provide an igniting mechanism for a cigar lighter or the like comprising a member mounted for rotation around the igniting end portion of the wick and having means for coaction with a flint or the like for creatine.r the. reouired igniting sparks and wherein said rotatable means is so constructed as to assure the sparks being thrown inwardly toward the igniting extremity of the wick.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement oi the several parts of mv improved ignitin'f. mechanism, whereby certain advantages are attained, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

In order that mv invention may be better understood. I will now proceed to describe the same with reference tothe accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a View in elevation with a portion broken away illustrating an igniting mechanism embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken through the upper portion of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 3 3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view illustrating a mechanism constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention; v

Figure 5 is a view partly in elevation and partly yin section illustrating a. mechanism constructed outer or top Wall I.

2 in accordance with a still further embodiment of the invention;

Figure 6 is a view in top plan view of Figure 5; and

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View taken substantially on the line 'I-'I of Figure 6.

In the embodiment of the invention as illustrated in Figures 1-3, C denotes a container of desired dimensions and capacity and which, oi course, is adapted to be filled with desired igniting fluid.

In the present embodiment of the invention, one end of this container C, which can be termed the top portion, is tapered whereby is produced a restricted upper or top wall I. The central portion of this upper or top wall I is provided with an opening 2 and surrounding said opening 2` and spaced a desired distance therefrom isan outwardly directed continuous flange 3 preferably circular in form and concentric to the opening 2, although I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself in this respect.

Extending within the container C through the opening 2 is the tube 4 for the wick 5, said tube being soldered or otherwise iixedly secured to the The outer end of this tube 4, as is particularly illustrated in Figure 2, terminates a desired distance outwardly or beyond the ange 3 but inwardly of the outer end of the sleeve 6 having j slip connection from without with the flange 3 and surrounding the same.

-This sleeve 6 isadapted to have detachable engagement with the ilange 3 through the medium of the spring pressed spherical bodies or balls-1 which extend through suitably positioned openings 8 in the ange 3 and are normally received within a continuous internal annular groove or channel 9 in the inner or base portion of th iiange 3.

In the present embodiment of the invention, these spherical bodies or balls 1 are three in number, although I do not wish to limit myself to this particular arrangement as the number used Will, of course, depend upon the requirements of practice plus the efficiency of the results.

Each of these balls 'I is adapted to have retraction within an inwardly and radially dispossessing requisite tension.

air induction openings I2 of required dimensions4M to permit the admission of air sufiicient to support combustion of the flame ignited atV theouterr or extended end portion of thewick. hv

The outer end of the sleeve 6 is closed by4 a plate I4 disposed thereover and soldered?. on otherwise rigidly secured to the outer edge surface of the sleeve 6 and the periphery of this' plate 6 is dened by a depending and outwardly 'ared surrounding skirt I'5which isl soldered or otherwise, rigidly secured to the peripheral portion ofV a knurledA Wheel Idwhich surrounds the lower or inner portion of sleeve 6 and rotates therewith.

In the present embodiment of the invention, the wheel I6 andthe sleeve E are shown as being integral; although, of course, theyv maybe otherwise assembled Without departing from the .f

spirit or'` scope of the present invention.

Thev skirt I 5- is disposed toward the wheel; Iii on such an angle in cross section as to conform in' a general way to the taper at` thev upper portion of the containerA C sothat in the completed lighter, there resultsv an article attractive to the eyeand in a manner which may be' termed'lv as giving a streamlined eiiect;

Theslrirtl I5 closely: adjacent to the. plate I4! is provided with the openings' I'I in alignment or registerV with the openings-'- I'2` sothat the desired ingress of air' within the sleeve 6 is assured.

To one side-oi the opening 2`, the top or' upper Wall i of the container C isv provided with a secondI opening', If through which passes'r the-upper or'A outer end portion of: a second tube I9 and which tube-- is solderedj ory otherwise secured' to this wall I. This' tube I9 extends entirely through the container C and registers with an opening in the` bottom wall 2I ofv the container; Thel lower or. inserted end of' this: tube" I97 is soldered or: otherwise. rigidly.- held, toy the bottom wall 2|".

TheV upper' or'v outer.' end. of this tube IB extends a'v slight distance outwardly beyond thel adjacent outer end of* the.v wick; tube- 4 but terminates i preferably'inwardly of theouter end; of thesleeve Gf ormorev particularly the;v plate I4` thereof when the sleeve 6 is in applied or` working position; This` outerf end portion of the tube: I;8' has` freely and slidably inserted therein a conventional stickl 22"` of? flint' orother: desired sparking' medium and which stick: 22v ist constantly urged outwardly by' an expansil'ole-v membern 2.3 within the tube IiS and` bearing against. the inner ori'nsert'ed end of the stick 22'., As illustrated i'n the accompanying drawings, this member or spring 23 bridges the space between the inner 'endl off the applied stick' 22Y and the inserted end of a shank` 24 threading` within the lower rnbottom end' of the'A tube IS' through the open"- ings 2l. Byfrotatable adjustment:v of` this. shank 24 or; its endwise` adjustment into orA out of the f tub'e ISy the'A tension of they member or springcZ- "may be regulated tofassure the: best resultsv as pertains to the desired eiective'contaetlbffte outer extremity of the stick 22 with the striking surface a which, in the present embodiment of the invention, constitutes the inner or under face of the plate I4 whereby the plate I4 constitutes a striker element. This surface a in this embodiment of the invention is angular in form and deiines a central opening 25 substantially directly above the outer or extended end of the tube 4. and intoA which` thev igniting or extended end` portion. of;` thezwickz extends..

Upon rotation of the sleeve 6 by proper contact, of course, with the periphery of the wheel I6 the striking surface a will travel across the outeru or:` extended end of the stick 22 in a mannen tocreate the required sparks for igniting the wick 5. Tb assure the creation of these sparks this, strikingA surface; a has disposed thereacross the. grooves or channels b which are so disposed as to assure the sparks as created at the outer extremity of the stick' 22 being thrown toward therexten-ded portion of? the wick 5, andi thus. assure the desired ignition foi the creation: of.' the required name".

Whil'ethe disposition off these` grooves: b is substantiallyfsuiicient to assure the proper travel ofi the.vsparks; yet. to furtherv assureV ignition, the sloield 4 or defiector Zit: may be used andi as illustrated in the accompanying drawings; this. shield 263 is soldered or otherwise secured. tothe outer end portion of the tube I9 and disposed'inaidirection substantially tangential to.. thea outer end off thel tubel4. This shield Z will extendY from a point? immediately,l adjacent to the under surace c1,r oi" the plate or` striking.. element: |547 substantially flush with theitop'of theztube Il".`

The central opening 25 of the plate FA? isi'preferablyi'ofi a. diameter in excess ot that. ofi the, adjacent: encl off the? tube,` 4 and: wheni the; lighter is= not` in; use?l this opening` 2'5" ist adapted. to be closedA liy: a cap B hayiizugf` as peripheral surface conforming: to.: the general; design. effect ofy the skirtl t5. but having. a at.=u11der. surface: c having ai close contactlwithzthe: outerA face; ofthe plate or: striker` element. It.

'Ehe centra-l: pontion ofthis flat under, surface; c oi the:cap.-B is. herein disclosedas provided with an inwardly directed4 annular ange 2!- which snuglyy and frictionally enters; and` passes. through the opening 25 and; which. is'y so designed and proportionedtas to; provide` asnuifer. cup to receive the; enrtended orburning end; portionA ofL the wick'. 5, toassure complete extinguishing of the l 'ame when thecapfB' is inV applied'f. position.

The Guten endportionA of' the shank 24. is provided@ a knurledV operating head 28- and, of coursey the` bottom wall 2l, of the container is provided with a lling opening 2B which isnormallyf closed by a plug-r 3D: hereinL disclosed. as a screw'type..

It-.alsoY desirable/to have thev cap.. Bheldto the container C by a flexible member herein disclosed asf a chain to prevent loss of. the: cap.

It. now to: he,A pointed out that it, is. of special advantage to have the sleeve E and the parts associated therewith yconveniently removable, so that the under or. striking surface aofV the striking element' or plate I4' may be' readily or eiffectivelycleansed' to' maintainl maximum efficiency.

In the embodiment of` the invention as illustrated in Figure 4, the general' construction of the mechanism is substantially' the same'l asi set forth iiit'he-rst embodiment exceptthat the striking element or plate 32 which is disposed over the outer end of'thels'leeve; 33'i's rel'afri'velythick and lthat'the 'facelor' wallv d of theA central. opening of A this plate or striking element 32 is disposed on an outward and downward bevel providing a relatively broad face with which the outer or extended extremity of the flint or flint stick 32a has rrequisite contact so that upon rotation Aof the sleeve 33 the required sparkswill be created to` effect the desired ignition of the flame.

In this second embodiment of the invention it is important that the outer end of the tube 34 for the spark stick 33 extend up within the central opening 35, but, of course, underlying and closely approaching the beveled surface d and for which reason the outer end of this tube 34 'must be disposed on a bevel complemental to the bevel d. This is equally true of the outer or contacting end of the stick 32a.

A deilector or shield 26 may be carried by the outer portion of the tube 34 in substantially the same manner and for the same purpose as the 'shield or deflector 26 comprised in the first embodiment of the invention.

In the embodiment of the invention as illustrated in Figures 5-7 of the drawings, the outer or top flat wall 35 of the container or receptacle R at its central part is provided with a relatively large opening 36 through which is inserted from above a tubular cylindrical member 31 through ythe bore 38 of which is directed the wick tube outer end of the member 31. This tube 39 is soldered or otherwise fixedly secured to the wall of the bore 38.

The member 31 outwardly or beyond the plate 35 is transversely enlarged to provide a head 40 lhaving its peripheral face stepped as at 4l the lowermost of which steps contacting from above sealing gasket 43.

The member 31 is also inserted from above through an opening 44 in the central part of the plate or head 45 closing the lower end of a sleeve 46 which is of relatively large radius and which is provided through its wall with the air admitting openings 41. The lower portion of the sleeve 45 also carries the surrounding operating flange 48 having its periphery suitably knurled to facilitate the desired rotation of the sleeve 46 about the member 41 when it is desired to 'effect an ignition of a flame.

Extending from the bottom wall 49 of the receptacle or container R and extending up into the lower portion of the applied member 31 is a tubeY 59 into the lower end portion of whic'h threads the adjusting shank 5|` to the inserted end portion of which is affixed 'an extremity of a retractile member 52 herein disclosed as a coil spring. The opposite end portion of this mem- -ber or spring 52 is operatively engaged with the inserted end portion of a slide 53 which is freely mounted in the upper portion of the tube 50. The upper or outer end of this slide 53 is continued by an extended elongated arm 54 of a length to pass out beyond the applied member 31 and out through a central opening 55 provided by the inwardly disposed striking element or flange 56 mounted upon and extending inwardly of the outer end of the sleeve 46. This element or flange 56 has an outer striking face 51 substantially at right angles to the axialcenter of the tube 50.

l 39 which terminates a desired distance above the i The extremity of the arm 54 -beyond the element or flange 56 is provided with an outwardly and laterally disposed extension arm 58. This arm 58 extends within a tubular holder 59 positioned above the element or ange 56 through a properly positioned slot 69. The extremity of the arm 58 Within the tubular holder 59 is enlarged to provide a head 6l for direct contact from above with the stick 62 of flint or other preferred sparking material so that under the action of the member or spring 52, the stick 62 will be constantly maintained in desired contact with the outer working surface 51 of the element or flange 56.

In the embodiment of the invention as illustrated in Figures 5, 6, and '7, it is not of special importance that the sleeve 46 be readily removed because by having the working face 51 of the striker element or flange 56 outwardly disposed, such surface can be readily and conveniently cleansed to assure a maximum efficiency of the mechanism.

The slot 60'in the present embodiment of the invention is provided by having the holder 59 constituting a split sleeve and the marginal portions of the split o-r slots 60 are continued by the wings 53 extending outwardly therefrom and in relatively close proximity and between which the arm 58 passes.

These wings or plates 63 therefore constitute guiding elements to assure the arm 58 being maintained in desired effective position at all times. j

One of the wings or plates 63 at its outer portion is provided with an inwardlydisposed arm 64 which extends down through the opening 53 and is suitably secured as by soldering to the outer end face of the member 31.

The holder or sleeve 59 also has soldered or otherwise secured thereto a deflector or guard plate 65 which extends inwardly on such angle to provide further means to assure the throwing of the sparks emanating from the stick 62 within the igniting element for the wick.

The sparking of the stick 62 is assured by having the outer surface 51 of the element or flange 56 provided with the suitably disposed grooves 66 extending transversely thereacross and which grooves 63 are also so directed as to assure the effective throwing of the sparks from the stick 2 toward the extended portion of the wick.

From the foregoing description it is thought to bevobvious that an ligniting mechanism constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use byv reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated.

I claim:

1. A device of the character stated comprising a body having a flat top, a circular member disposed over said top, means carried by and projecting upwardly 'from said flat top forming a fixed center around which the circular member rotates, a tube extending upwardly through said means, a wick extending through the tube and projecting from the upper end thereof, a dat annulus connected with and supported above said rotary member for rotation therewith concentric with the said means by which the rotary member is maintained in connection with said top, said annular member having upper and lower faces, a sparking element supported adjacent to one of said faces, means forming a part of the said one of the faces adjacent to which the sparking element is supported for contacting the sparking element to produce sparks therefrom, and means arcanes for' directing such. sparks: inwardly' toward' the Wick;

2.. A device of the character statedil in cla-im. 1 wherein the said annular member is connected with thecircul'ar member by anupstandi-n'g sleeve, the said. Wick having its upper end disposed Within the: circular area. dened by the inside of. the annularmember, and saidsleevehavingap ertures therethrough for supplying; air to the Wick;

3... A; device of the character stated in, claim 1 wherein'. the. said mean-sf forv directing; sparksl in.- ivard'ly toward the end. oi the wick, comprises; a shield dispose-de in closeV proximityl tothe surface of; the: annular member with: Wlrich the. sparking element. contacts and having a face'postioned to member disposed over and in. parallet relation with said top, the circular member having` a central open-ing therethrough, means connected with said tcp and: extend-ing through. saidv central opening and. provid-ing a centering means. around which: thecircular member may be rotated; the

periphery of the circularh member being formed to facilitate its engagement by a iinger to. effect its rotation, an upstanding sleeve carried. by. the circula-r member and7 coaxial therewith. av at body securedto the top of the sleeve and` having a. centra-la opening concentric: with. the. sleeve.. said flat body, sleeve and circular member being rotatable as a. unit, saidI at body having. one face formed) to provide a striking means, a4 flint maintained in yielding contact with.` said striking means, a- Wick. disposed adjacent to. the opening of said flat body, and means` for ei'ecting movemen-t.y of sparks from the iiint toward. the Wick.

5,-., A. dev/ice of. the character. stated in claim 4, with an outwardly. daring skirt connected with the. top of said. sleeve. and joining the circular .member adjacent to. the. periphery thereof., said skirt and sleeve having air admission aperture therethrough, and -a dome like. cover adapted to position upon the, top of the. dat. body, said cover having. an overall'. diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the. flat body upon which. it rests, and means carried. by the cover for extension through the, central opening of the flat body to enclosethe Wick...

6. A. device oil the. character statedv in claim 4, wherein, the said means. for centering; the. rotary member. comprises. an. upstanding circular flange secured to. the. top of the rst. mentioned body and, passing. through. circular member.. said. circular member having:v at continuous inside anf nular channel, -a radially directed guide forming aA part of said upstanding yflange, and spring pressed means. within said guide and. urged. outwardly therefrom for frictional engagement. in.

saidlchannel.

7,., A device of the character stated in. claim 4,

wherein the said means. for centering the. rotary col Si member upon the sa-idnat topv of the firstmen.- tioned; body comprises a. cylindrical member extend-ing through the center of the rotary member and passing through. the rst mentioned body, said cylindrical member having an encircling shoulder4 at its upper end engaging and maintaining thev circular member against movement outwardly from theunderlying top of the first mentioned' body, and. a secusing nut threaded upon the' cylindrical member from its lower end and engaging against the underside of the rst mentioned' body' f 8^. A device ofthe character Stated, comprising a fuel container having a attop, a Wick tube projecting vertically through the center of said top, an annular member rising from said top con- -centrically of said-v Wick' tube, a flint tube extending vertically` through said container at one side of saidwick tube, a second annular member supported on said top for rotation about the first named annular memberv and having a circular series of apertures opening i-n a plane labove the upper: end of they latter, a wick in said Wick tube and. projecting from the.- upper end thereof, a flint seated in the upper end of said iiint tube, an annular friction member mounted on the upper: en-d of said second annular member for rotation therewith, sa-id apertures being disposed substantially in .line with the upper ends of said wick and iiinttubes for the ingress of air about the projecting end of thev wick, a removable hollow cover adapted to seat over saidsecond annular member, and a cut out portion provided centrally on thev upper side of the interior of said! cover. and adapted to enter the open center of saidannular friction member and seat over the Wick end to extinguish the ame when the cover is-r'eplaced inposition and act as a snuier element.

' ORVAL C. WAGGONER.

REFERENCES CTED The following references are of record in the iile of this patent:

` UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberI Name Date 1,052,783 Wolf Feb, 11, 1913 11,612,595 MageeV et al. Dec. 28, 1926 1,718,033 Douglas June 18, 1929 1,759,340' Aronson. May 20',` 1930 1,793,063 Cope-land Feb. 1.7, 1931 2,11763150 Roll Oct. 17, 1939 2,403,589 Dritz July 9,. 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 118,254 Australia Mar.. 8, 1944 322,338: Germany Jan. 29, 1919 327,033: Germany Oct.. 8, 1920 383,832' Germany Nov; 2, 1923 388,439 Germany' Jan. 19, 1924 493,420 Germany' Aug. 10, 1930 

